Keith Pompey

Inquirer Staff Writer

It's official. Confirming what Deep Sixer reported last night, 76ers president and general manager Ed Stefanski announced today in a press release that Doug Collins has been named the team's new head coach. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The press conference will be held Monday at noon at the Wachovia Center.

"We are excited to hire a head coach with the level of experience, knowledge and passion for the game that Doug Collins has," said Stefanski. "He has been around basketball his entire life, has experienced success at every step throughout his career and we are confident in his ability to lead our team."

"Doug Collins is a terrific motivator, teacher, and manager," said Comcast-Spectacor President Peter Luukko. "We believe he is the right coach for the Philadelphia 76ers and the one who will lead us back onto the right track."

Poll

Is Doug Collins the right hire for the 76ers?

Yes

No

"The past week has provided us with a series of events that we believe will be a turning point for the Philadelphia 76ers," said Comcast-Spectacor Chairman Ed Snider. "Doug Collins is a coach that can make an immediate impact. He has all the attributes that we are looking for in a new head coach and we are happy to welcome him back into the Sixers family."

Collins, 58, last coached in the NBA with the Washington Wizards in 2002-03. He has an overall record of 332-287 in eight seasons. He currenlty has been serving as an analyst for the NBA on TNT. In eight seasons of coaching, Collins compiled a regular and reached the playoffs five times, highlighted by a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals with Chicago in 1989.

Following a standout career at Illinois State, Collins was selected by the Sixers with the first overall pick in the 1973 NBA Draft. He spent all eight of his seasons with Philadelphia, averaging 17.9 points, 3.3 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.25 steals in 415 games played while shooting 50.1% from the floor and 83.3% from the line. For his career, the four-time All-Star had more steals (518) than turnovers (485).